News Item

A squad of 25 players and thirteen officials from Unión Deportiva Almería (Almeria Football Club) – which currently competes in Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) returned to the Desert Springs Resort for the second consecutive year to enjoy the facilities of the Desert Springs Football Academy for their pre-season training camp between Monday 23rd - Tuesday 31st July.

Speaking of the teams experience at Desert Springs, The Club’s new Manager, Javi Gracia remarked:

“I knew that UD Almería had already used Desert Springs last year, and as we have repeated this year, then something must be working well!

The playing surface and thickness of the grass was just perfect, and the daily assistance of the maintenance crew has made a difference.

Our accommodation at the community of Las Sierras was very quiet and convenient for us, providing a lot of privacy with no disruptions.

The Food and Beverage was perfect; all of the dietary requirements were followed strictly, the food was ready on time every day, the quality was phenomenal, the Resort staff were fantastic and we have felt very well attended.

I have been very comfortable at Desert Springs and would certainly consider it for a future Pre-Season Training Camp. Other Resorts may have more pitches, but at Desert Springs we are not forced to train at certain times and we feel very welcome. The players seem to be very comfortable and they take it for granted that we will be back!”

During their stay, the Almeria players and officials were accommodated in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

“Already well-known as a resort specializing in golf and family holidays, Desert Springs has been rapidly gaining, not only popularity, but also an excellent reputation as a centre for both warm-weather and pre-season football training within the footballing community. It is clear to see that with feed back such as this we can only expect to be host to more Club’s in the near future.”

Returning to Desert Springs for the second consecutive year, and having exceeded the team expectations last summer, I was interested in hearing the comments from Javi Gracia, the new coach of UD Almería, and what the players had to say about their Pre-Season Camp at the Desert Springs Football Academy.

Unión Deportiva Almería (Almeria Football Club) selected the Football Academy at the Desert Springs Resort to be host to their official Pre-Season Football Training Camp between Monday 23rd – Tuesday 31st July, 2012.

A squad of 25 players and 13 officials from UD Almería – which currently competes in La Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) also benefited from access to and use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and golf academy. They enjoyed the opportunity to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, padel tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also had access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema, which was used on several occasions as a conference and meeting room to further visualize videos as part of the training camp. Accommodation for the players and officials was in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. The resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

UD Almería Manager, Javi Gracia, commented;

Accommodation
The community of Las Sierras was very quiet and convenient for us, providing a lot of privacy and no disruptions.

Food and Beverage
Everything was perfect; all of the dietary requirements were followed strictly and the food was ready on time every day.
Players hate to wait for their food, especially after training, and this never happened during our stay. The quality was phenomenal and all staff members were on hand.

Resort Staff
Fantastic, we have felt very well attended. When we made any request, like the use of a Conference Room, it was organised within minutes and we were able to use it on several occasions. Nobody in my team has commented anything negative to me, so it must be a good sign!

Football Pitch
We have worked carefully on the Pitch trying to avoid any damage from traffic, and it has actually worked out well.
The playing surface and thickness of the grass was just perfect, and also the daily assistance of the Maintenance Crew has made a difference.
Sierra Sports & Fitness Club Facilities
I have visited the gym, and although it is not huge, it has all of the necessary machines for workouts.

2013 Preseason Camp
I have been very comfortable at Desert Springs and would certainly consider it for a future Pre-Season Training Camp. Other Resorts may have more pitches, but at Desert Springs we are not forced to train at certain times and we feel very welcome.

Summary
I knew that UD Almería had already used Desert Springs last year, and if we
have repeated as we have, then something must be working well!
The players seem to be very comfortable and they take for granted that we will be back!
I have personally felt very well attended and everything has assisted to provide a good Pre-Season training camp.

News Items

Following on from the success of their inaugural training camp in 2011, Union Deportiva Almeria (Almeria Football Club) have selected the Desert Springs Resort to be host once again to their pre-season training camp between Monday 23rd - Tuesday 31st July.

A squad of 26 players and ten officials from Almeria Football Club – which currently competes in Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) will precede the arrival of the teams ‘B’ Squad comprising 24 players, who will also reside at the resort for a 3 day training camp between Wednesday 1st – Friday 3rd August, to benefit from the facilities of the Football Academy established at Desert Springs.

During their stay at Desert Springs the Almeria players will benefit from training and coaching on the first international-size quality grass pitch in Almeria complete with; floodlights, shower and changing facilities, a referee changing room, a goal-keeper training and five-a-side games area, and a hard standing area which provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area.

Simon Coaker, sales and marketing manager at Desert Springs, remarked that the Club’s experience during last year’s inaugural training camp at the resort influenced their decision to return for their 2012 training camp.

“At the completion of last years training camp the Club’s Manager was so enthusiastic about the caliber of the resort, its football pitch, other sports facilities, restaurants, accommodation and staff, that he pledged for the team to return. Well, not only has that word been kept but this year we shall also be host to the ‘B’ team,” said Simon.

Spectators will also be welcome to visit the Football Academy to watch the training sessions.

During Football Training Camps, players can make full use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and enjoy opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also have access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema.

Accommodation for the players and officials is in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs.

The resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

A squad of 24 players and twelve officials from Almeria Football Club – which currently competes in Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) followed in the footsteps of other teams such as Byrne, Honefoss and Shrewsbury Town Football Club, by enjoying the facilities of the Football Academy established at Desert Springs for their pre-season training camp between Monday 18th - Saturday 30th July.

The Club’s Manager, Lucas Alcaraz, was so enthusiastic about the caliber of the resort, its football pitch, other sports facilities, restaurants, accommodation and staff, that he has pledged for the team to return.

“The conditions of the Football Pitch are absolutely superb and ideal for training. Moreover, our preferred specifications have been accommodated on a daily basis.

When a professional football team travels for a Pre-Season Training Camp, there are always small inconveniences, schedule changes and last minute problems that are disruptive and unfortunately cannot be resolved.

In my 28-year football career, Desert Springs Resort has been the only venue where all aspects have run smoothly, and requests have been accommodated. Thanks to their facilities and professional staff, we have been able to fully concentrate on the Camp.”

During their thirteen-night stay, the Almeria players and officials were accommodated in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

“Already well-known as a resort specializing in golf and family holidays, Desert Springs has been rapidly gaining, not only popularity, but also an excellent reputation as a centre for both warm-weather and pre-season football training within the footballing community. It is clear to see that with feed back such as this we can only expect to be host to more Club’s in the near future.”

I met with the UD Almería Manager, Lucas Alcaraz, for an informal meeting to receive his views and opinion on how he felt the visit to Desert Springs Resort had gone to get as much feedback as possible.

Union Deportiva Almería (Almeira Football Club) selected the Football Academy at the Desert Springs Resort to be host to their official Pre-Season Football Training Camp between Monday 18th - Saturday 30th July, 2011.

A squad of 24 players and twelve officials from UD Almería – which currently competes in Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) also benefited from access to and use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and golf academy. They enjoyed the opportunity to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, padel tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also had access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema. Accommodation for the players and officials was in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. The resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

UD Almería Manager, Lucas Alcaraz, commented;

Accommodation
The Apartments at Las Sierras are superb. Because we usually stay at Hotels during the season, we were expecting that sort of operation. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied with their location, quality and privacy.

Food and Beverage
Excellent service. The food is great and meals are always served as scheduled. It could not be any better!

Resort Staff
Each department throughout the Resort has been very supportive during our stay. Also, attention to detail and flexibility are key for the training success. We have found that the professional team at Desert Springs has smoothly attended to all of our “last minute” requests in an efficient manner.

Football Pitch
The conditions of the Football Pitch are absolutely superb and ideal for training. Moreover, our preferred specifications have been accommodated on a daily basis.

Sierra Sports & Fitness Club Facilities
They were fine, including the Gymnasium.

2012 Preseason Camp
We have had an extremely positive experience at Desert Springs, and in my opinion the team will surely be interested in returning in the future.

Summary
When a professional football team travels for a Pre-Season Training Camp, there are always small inconveniences, schedule changes and last minute problems that are disruptive and unfortunately cannot be resolved. In my 28-year football career, Desert Springs Resort has been the only
venue where all aspects have run smoothly, and requests have been accommodated. Thanks to their facilities and professional staff, we have been able to fully concentrate on the training camp.